Container assembly

ABSTRACT

A container assembly includes a container having a wall with a rim at a first, open end and a base at a second, closed end opposite the first end, and a lid having an inwardly-facing surface defining a recess. In a first, storage state, the lid is releasably secured to the container at the first end with the rim disposed in the recess. In a second, display state, the lid is secured to the container at the second end with the base disposed in the recess.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure is directed to a container assembly, and, in particular, a container assembly including a container and a lid that transforms the container from a storage state to a display state.

BACKGROUND

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 405,364 shows a container that contains a staple material, such as flour, coffee or the like. A lid is also provided. In a first state, the lid is attached to the container. In a second state, the lid is detached from the container. Once all of the staple material in the container is used, U.S. Pat. No. 405,364 shows that a hole may be made in the bottom of the container. The container, to be used as a flower pot, is then to be placed loosely in lid, to be used as a drip tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first example of a container assembly with a container and a lid attached to the container in a first, storage state;

[0004]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 with the lid attached to the container in a second, display state;

[0005]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly of FIG. 1;

[0006]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a second example of a container assembly with a container and a lid attached to the container in a first, storage state;

[0007]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly of FIG. 4;

[0008]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a third example of a container assembly with a container and a lid attached to the container in a first, storage state;

[0009]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly of FIG. 6;

[0010]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a fourth example of a container assembly with a container and a lid attached in a first, storage state; and

[0011]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the container assembly of FIG. 8 with the lid removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLES

[0012] FIGS. 1-3 show a first example of a container assembly 20. The container assembly 20 may include a container 22 and a lid 24. The container 22 may have a first, open end 26 and a second, closed end 28 opposite the first, open end 26. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lid 24 may be disposed on the container 22 at the first end 26 in a first, storage state. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 24 may be disposed on the container 22 at the second end 28 in a second, display state.

[0013] As seen in FIG. 3, the container 22 may be formed of a wall 30. The wall 30 may be made as a single piece, or may be made of multiple pieces joined together. In particular, the wall 30 may be made of, for example, glass, ceramics, resin, marble or wood that has been formed into a desired shape.

[0014] The wall 30 may have a rim 32 with an outturned lip 33 at the first, open end 26 of the container 22. The rim 32 may define an opening 34. The shape of the opening 34 may be oval or substantially circular in cross-section (compare FIG. 9), although the shape of opening 34 need not be limited to oval or circular cross-sections. For example, the shape of the opening 34 may have four (square, rectangle, parallelepiped), five (pentagon), six (hexagon), or more sides (heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, etc.). Where the opening 34 is substantially circular, the rim 32 may be annular and have an effective diameter, D_(R), as marked in FIG. 3.

[0015] The wall may also have a base 36 with an outturned edge 37 at the second, closed end 28 of the container 22. The base 36 may be substantially planar, as shown in FIG. 3, although the base 36 is not limited to being planar (e.g., the base 36 may have a concave region). Moreover, the base 36, like the rim 32, may be oval or substantially circular in cross-section as shown in FIG. 3, or may have multiple sides. Additionally, wherein the base 36 is circular, the base 36 may have an effective diameter, D_(B), as marked in FIG. 3. As shown, the shape and effective diameter D_(B) of the base 36 may be substantially similar to the shape and effective diameter D_(R) of the rim 32, although the container assembly 20 is not limited to such a circumstance.

[0016] Adjacent the rim 32 and the base 36 may be disposed sections 38, 40 of the wall 30 of substantially the same shape and (if applicable) effective diameter as the rim 32 and base 36. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sections 38, 40 may be annular in shape. The sections 38, 40 may have exterior surfaces 42, 44, that may be curved as shown.

[0017] The wall 30 may also have an interior surface 46 that defines an interior space 48. A candle 50 may be disposed in the interior space 48, or the space 48 may be empty.

[0018] As also seen in FIG. 3, the lid 24 may be formed as a single piece, and may have a recess 52 defined therein. It will be understood that the lid 24, like the wall 30 of the container 22, may be formed of a single piece, or of multiple pieces joined together. In particular, the lid 24 may be made of, for example, glass, ceramics, resin, marble or wood that has been formed into a desired shape.

[0019] The lid 24 may have interior surfaces 54, 56 that define the recess 52. The interior surface 54 may be a substantially planar surface, although the surface may, for example, have a concave or convex region. The interior surface 54 may be substantially similar in shape and slightly larger in effective diameter (D_(L), as marked in FIG. 3) that is substantially similar to the shape and effective diameter of the rim 32 and the base 36. The interior surface 56 may be an inwardly-facing surface that may be substantially similar in shape and slightly larger in effective diameter than the sections 30, 40 of the wall 30. Together, the interior surfaces 54, 56, as shown, define the recess 52 as a substantially cylindrical space.

[0020] The lid 24 may also have an exterior surface 58. The exterior surface 58 may include a substantially planar surface 60, which may have, for example, a concave region. The exterior surfaces 58 may also include a surface 62 having a stepped appearance. However, as will be explained in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4-7, the appearance of the surface 62 may vary considerable in detail.

[0021] A gasket 64 may be attached to the inwardly-facing, interior surface 56. As shown, the gasket 64 may be disposed on the inwardly-facing, interior surface 56. Alternatively, the lid 24 may be formed with an undercut or slot formed in the inwardly-facing, interior surface 56 to accept at least part of the gasket 64 therein. The gasket 64 may be formed of an elastically deformable material, such as a silicon gel or a polymer. Alternatively, the gasket 64 may be formed of a more rigid material that has been formed in such a way that is deformable. The gasket 64 may be formed about the entire perimeter of the inwardly-facing, interior surface 56, although the gasket 64 may also be formed as separate, discrete pieces or beads disposed about the perimeter of the inwardly-facing, interior surface 56.

[0022] The container assembly 20 may be used in the following manner. The container assembly 20 may have a first, storage state, such as shown in FIGS. I and 3, wherein the lid 24 is disposed at the first end 26 of the container 22 with the rim 32 and at least part of section 38 disposed in the recess 52. The rim 32 may touch the interior surface 54 of the lid 24, although the rim 32 need not necessarily touch the interior surface 54. Furthermore, in this first state, the gasket 64 abuts the exterior surface 42 of the wall section 38 to limit the relative movement between the lid 24 and the container 22. If the gasket 64 is formed about the entire perimeter of the inwardly-facing surface 56, then the gasket may also limit the exposure of the candle 50 to the environment. The container assembly 20 may be disposed on a support surface, like that of a shelf or shelving unit, with the base 36 abutting the support surface.

[0023] The lid 24 may also have a second, use state wherein the lid 24 is disposed at the second end 28 of the container 22 with the base 36 and at least part of the section 40 disposed in the recess 52. The base 36 may touch the interior surface 54 of the lid 24, although the base need not necessarily touch the interior surface 54. Furthermore, in this second state, the gasket abuts the exterior surface 44 of the wall section 40 to limit the relative movement between the lid 24 and the container 22. In the second state, the details of the exterior surface 62 of the lid 24 may add to the appearance of the container, providing a pedestal-like enhancement, for example. The container assembly 20 may be disposed on a support surface, like that of a table, with the surface 60 of the lid 24 abutting the support surface.

[0024] The lid 24 may be placed in the second, use state whether or not the candle 50 has been lit. Further, it is not a requirement of the example that the lid 24 be disposed on the container 22 when the candle 50 is in use (see, for example, FIG. 9). Moreover, the lid 24 may be placed in the second, use state even after the candle 50 has been used up and the container 22 is being used for another purpose, such as a vase to hold dried or fresh flowers, for example. In this regard, the terms “use” and “storage” are not intended to limit the example to a particular activity.

[0025]FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second example of a container assembly 120. Whenever possible, structures in the example of FIGS. 4 and 5 that are like structures in the example of FIGS. 1-3 are referred to with the reference numerals from FIGS. 1-3 summed with 100. The container assembly 120 includes a container 122 and a lid 124.

[0026] The lid 124 differs from the lid 24 of the first example in that the surface 162 is not stepped like the surface 62. Instead, the surface 162 includes a rounded edge 166 and a bead-like band 168. In this regard, when the lid 124 is disposed at the second end 128 of the container 122, the appearance of the container assembly 120 is different than that of the example shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0027]FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third example of a container assembly 220. Whenever possible, structures in the example of FIGS. 6 and 7 that are like structures in the example of FIGS. 1-3 are referred to with the reference numerals from FIGS. 1-3 summed with 200. The container assembly 220 includes a container 222 and a lid 224.

[0028] The lid 224 differs from the lid 24 of the first example in that the surface 262 is not merely stepped like the surface 62, but includes a bead-like band 266 as well. In this regard, when the lid 224 is disposed at the second end 228 of the container 222, the appearance of the container assembly 220 is different than that of the example shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 4-5.

[0029]FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth example of a container assembly 320. Whenever possible, structures in the example of FIGS. 8 and 9 that are like structures in the example of FIGS. 1-3 are referred to with the reference numerals from FIGS. 1-3 summed with 300. The container assembly 320 includes a container 322 and a lid 324.

[0030] The lid 324 differs from the lid 24 of the first example in that the surface 362 is not stepped like the surface 62. Instead, the surface 362 includes a rounded edge 366. In this regard, when the lid 324 is disposed at the second end 328 of the container 322, the appearance of the container assembly 320 is different than that of the example shown in FIGS. 1-3, 4-5, and 6-7.

[0031] Although certain example apparatus and methods have been disclosed and described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the invention fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A container assembly comprising: a container having a wall with a rim at a first, open end and a base at a second, closed end opposite the first end; and a lid having an inwardly-facing surface defining a recess, in a first, storage state, the lid releasably secured to the container at the first end with the rim disposed in the recess, in a second, display state, the lid secured to the container at the second end with the base disposed in the recess.
 2. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid is releasably secured to the container at the second end with the base disposed in the recess in the second, display state.
 3. The container assembly according to claim 1, comprising: a gasket attached to the lid, the gasket abutting the first end of the container in the first, storage state and abutting the second end of the container in the second, display state to secure the lid to the container.
 4. The container assembly according to claim 3, wherein: the lid comprises an inwardly-facing surface at least in part defining the recess, the gasket attached to the inwardly-facing surface of the lid.
 5. The container assembly according to claim 4, wherein the gasket is disposed on the inwardly-facing surface of the lid and comprises at least one bead of silicon material.
 6. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the rim defines an opening having a first shape; and the base comprises a planar surface having a second shape substantially similar to the first shape.
 7. The container assembly according to claim 6, wherein: the first shape is substantially circular and has a first effective diameter; and the second shape is substantially circular and has a second effective diameter substantially equal to the first diameter.
 8. The container assembly according to claim 7, wherein: the wall comprises a first annular section adjacent the rim and a second annular section adjacent the base, the first and second sections having a first shape; and the lid comprises an inwardly-facing surface at least in part defining the recess, the inwardly-facing surface defining a second shape substantially similar to the first shape.
 9. The container assembly according to claim 8, wherein: the rim has an outturned lip; and the base has an outturned edge.
 10. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the wall of the container defines an interior space; and a candle is disposed in the interior space.
 11. The container assembly according to claim 10, wherein: the container comprises glass; and the lid comprises wood.
 12. A container assembly comprising: a container having a wall with a rim at a first, open end and a base at a second, closed end opposite the first end; a lid having an inwardly-facing surface at least in part defining a recess; and a gasket attached to the inwardly-facing surface in a first, storage state, the lid releasably secured to the container with the rim disposed in the recess and the gasket abutting the first end of the container, in a second, display state, the lid releasably secured to the container with the base disposed in the recess and the gasket abutting the second end of the container.
 13. The container assembly according to claim 12, wherein the gasket is disposed on the inwardly-facing surface of the lid and comprises at least one bead of silicon material.
 14. The container assembly according to claim 12, wherein: the wall comprises a first annular section adjacent the rim and a second annular section adjacent the base, the first and, second sections having a first shape and each having an exterior surface; the inwardly-facing surface defines a second shape substantially similar to the first shape; and the gasket abuts the exterior surface of the first annular section in the first, storage state and the exterior surface of the second annular in the second, use state.
 15. A container assembly comprising: a container having a wall, the wall having a rim and a first annular section adjacent the rim at a first, open end and a base and a second annular section adjacent the base at a second, closed end opposite the first end, the first and second annular sections having a first shape and each having an exterior surface; a lid having an inwardly-facing surface at least in part defining a recess, the inwardly-facing surface defining a second shape substantially similar to the first shape; and a gasket disposed on the inwardly-facing surface, in a first, storage state, the lid releasably secured to the container with the rim disposed in the recess and the gasket abutting the exterior surface of the first annular section, in a second, display state, the lid releasably secured to the container with the base disposed in the recess and the gasket abutting the exterior surface of the second annular section.
 16. The container assembly according to claim 15, wherein: the first and second shapes are substantially circular and each has a substantially similar effective diameter.
 17. The container assembly according to claim 15, wherein: the rim has an outturned lip; and the base has an outturned edge.
 18. The container assembly according to claim 15, wherein the gasket comprises at least one bead of silicon material.
 19. The container assembly according to claim 15, wherein: the wall of the container defines an interior space; and a candle is disposed in the interior space.
 20. The container assembly according to claim 15, wherein: the container comprises glass; and the lid comprises wood. 